Cheapest dish-based HDTV? (1 Viewer)

[Patrick Larkin]

Hello -

I got my first HDTV (a Sony GWIV) and I need some HD content.

I built my house with a single cable entry in the basement which stars out to every room in the house. I never wanted to worry about which room has CATV so they are all wired and ready. I really like this setup - the only problem is that I find out now that my cable company doesn't have HDTV service on my network. They also said it could be a year or two (which is NEVER a good sign).

Needless to say, I can't wait that long. I want to keep my current digital cable and supplement it with a barebones HD service on the one TV.

I could bag the cable completely but I doubt I'd be able to use the existing cabling. I don't want cables run on the exterior of the house. Also, I'd then only have TV in certain rooms which is lame.

I tried poking around DirecTV to find if they had an HD only option but can't seem to navigate the site to get any information. Does anyone know of a service that would be cheap and offer HD programming? I'd like to get the 4 major networks, ESPN, and HBO.

 

[Christian Behrens]

Is HD OTA an option? Check out AntennaWeb for information what you can reasonably expect to receive.

This way you'd having nothing to pay but for antenna and installation.

-Christian

 

[Patrick Larkin]

I have no idea. I'm about 60 miles from New York City and 60 miles from Philadelphia. Do antennas pick up that far?

After looking at that site, I need a large antenna mounted on the roof.

 

[Paul_Medenwaldt]

I have Dish and for their basic HD package you need to subscribe to their Americas 60 package. I'm not sure what their rate for that package is. You can also rent an 811 receiver for $5 month. Their HD package is $9.99 a month. I currently have that package. Off the top of my head i think there are 5 HD channels plus a PPV HD Channel. You need to subscribe to HBO or Showtime to get their HD channels.

Also depending on your viewing area you may be able to pick up your local HD channels OTA.

I hope this helps you out.

Paul

 

[BrianAe]

If your local cable company has digital cable, I'd bet that HD isn't too far off. I'd probably wait for that and try OTA in the mean time. Otherwise, I'd go with VOOM.

 

[Lew Crippen]

I think that the cost between Dish and DirecTV is pretty much a wash. As for navigating at the DirecTV site, try clicking on ‘Products’ from their main site. This gives you an HD option. If this does not work, try this .

This is the overview with plenty of links to price, features and programming.

 

[ToddS]

I called my cable company in July of 2003 and was told it would be a year or two before we received HD so I signed up with Dish. Three months later my cable company started offering HD. I highly recommend trying the antenna route because most of the HD I watch is broadcast and Dish Networks HD pack leaves alot to be desired.

 

[John S]

Hmm, you are ideally situated between two large markets. I'll bet you can get all sorts of HD content free from OTA.